Colts Thread

[Gomer Simpson]

I think the best way to illustrate my point is to note that more players could have taken the Elway/Eli Manning route, but didn't. The chance is always there though.

I was a small child when Elway made that choice, so I really don't know what was behind it. From what I know about Bob Irsay's problems, the success of the team at the time and the boiling feud with the city of Baltimore, the decision was understandable. I would call that an extreme circumstance. Eli did the same to San Diego but I'm absolutely convinced that Archie orchestrated that move because he didn't want Peyton and Eli in the same conference, knocking each other out of the playoffs every year.

I really don't see any justifiable reason for Luck to do the same to the Colts.

[Ren Butler]

He might be done, but there's nothing "likely" about it.

I don't see anything unusual about discussing it publicly. The Colts were actually talking internally about being mathematically able to win the division going into the Jacksonville game. Now that isn't even true anymore. So they're talking next year. No big deal.

[Ren Butler]

I really don't see any justifiable reason for Luck to do the same to the Colts.

Nor do I. But the decision doesn't have to be justifiable. Again, I think it's unlikely that he would refuse to play for the Colts, but my point is that there is absolutely nothing certain about the Colts' drafting Luck.

[MoparsRule]

So Oliver Luck = Archie Manning?

I think think Ren is on the right path. Trade the first pick to someone desperate to make a splash. Trade down for more picks...more picks is what is going to get the TEAM better. There are other QB's who may have a good NFL future coming out. The Colts can take one of them AND some other important pieces.

Archie & more.

[skypigeon]

Polian is very discrete and measured with his words. The fact that he is now publically discussing this, is a story. This is the beginning of the "soft landing" for Colts fans. My guess is there will be reports sometime in December on Manning's status and ability to play. He's likely done, and if he's not the Colts aren't going to pay that $28m. I certainly hope Manning is able to play again, he is one of the most thrilling players ever in the NFL. But the business decision side of the NFL is about to kick in and it's going to be upsetting for Colt's fans.

Brings up another good Joe Montana story. Really wish I could remember the source for this, but it was just before he was traded to the Chiefs. A fellow player said to him he couldn't believe the 49'ers would trade him at all, something like that. Joe's response was a very calm, very cool, "They're $#@$Q#& me now, and one day, they'll #$@# you too." No malice at all other than the profanity. Just a simple fact of life in the NFL; as far as any team's concerned, you're only as good to them as you are now.

That said, I still think Peyton will take a different approach. Watch.

[BADGER]

Hasn't Peyton made comments along the lines that Luck should not sit his first year? While I am sure Peyton doesn't like the thought of losing the huge bonus, I don't think he's really into the rebuilding mode at this stage of his career so if the Colts don't pay the bonus, I think there is a very good chance Peyton will want out to get another chance at a Superbowl.

[Frank Capua]

I think it would be nice to see Peyton still walking at 80. I think we're just witnesses to Peyton slowly coming to grips with his eventual decision to never play again. He's not there yet but he's come a long way since before the season started.

[Ren Butler]

I think we're just witnesses to Peyton slowly coming to grips with his eventual decision to never play again.

It might be true, but I still don't understand what makes people "think" this. I hear a lot of people saying things like this. Is this based on gut feeling, or is there some sort of insight that I'm missing (which wouldn't be the first time)?

[Danny Noonan]

It might be true, but I still don't understand what makes people "think" this. I hear a lot of people saying things like this. Is this based on gut feeling, or is there some sort of insight that I'm missing (which wouldn't be the first time)?

He had a surgery performed that doesn't necassarily have a high rate of success (in terms of complete recovery). The first surgery didn't work, obviously, and it seems the results of the 2nd surgery aren't having the desired outcome either at this point. I think the next month will be the indicator of whether Manning play (for anyone) ever again. If he still is lacking arm strength and mobility and is experiencing numbness, then it's probably time to be realistic about what else can be done.

It's one thing for someone to have this surgery done to improve their quality of life. It's quite another for an NFL player to have it done so he can continue playing the game with a high level of precision utiilizing arm strength and touch. It's even more concerning when you know that one hard hit may put you in a wheelchair.

[Ren Butler]

He had a surgery performed that doesn't necassarily have a high rate of success (in terms of complete recovery). The first surgery didn't work, obviously, and it seems the results of the 2nd surgery aren't having the desired outcome either at this point. I think the next month will be the indicator of whether Manning play (for anyone) ever again. If he still is lacking arm strength and mobility and is experiencing numbness, then it's probably time to be realistic about what else can be done.

It's one thing for someone to have this surgery done to improve their quality of life. It's quite another for an NFL player to have it done so he can continue playing the game with a high level of precision utiilizing arm strength and touch. It's even more concerning when you know that one hard hit may put you in a wheelchair.

I agree with just about everything you say, but that's a lot different from declaring that the end is near.

In reality, I don't think anybody really knows yet.

[Davydd]

I think the fact Peyton could end up owning every conceivable quarterback record in the books by playing longer that he will come back. That's a huge incentive. The only thing that would change that is if he cannot medically do so or overwhelming odds he could permanently injure himself as in paralysis. I don't think he will walk away because of no hope to go to a Superbowl, lack of desire or enough money already in the bank.

[mesquite]

It might be true, but I still don't understand what makes people "think" this. I hear a lot of people saying things like this. Is this based on gut feeling, or is there some sort of insight that I'm missing (which wouldn't be the first time)?

Probably the fact that this is his 3rd neck surgery and that that he'll be 40 in a couple of short years.

And, for the record, I do think Manning will play again. It just becomes more and more plausible to me that he won't with every passing day and nary a word about his progress.

[Ren Butler]

Probably the fact that this is his 3rd neck surgery and that that he'll be 40 in a couple of short years.

So people are just playing doctor.

And, for the record, I do think Manning will play again. It just becomes more and more plausible to me that he won't with every passing day and nary a word about his progress.

He said there wouldn't be an update until his next exam around 12/1. He's hoping there would be some fusion by then.

[MoparsRule]

This is how you know the Colts season is in Suckville...

Confirmed...


Lions-Saints game Dec. 4 moves to Sunday night

The Dec. 4 game between Detroit and New Orleans will be played on "Sunday Night Football" on NBC. The Colts-Patriots matchup was originally in that slot, but the NFL had previously announced that it was shifting to earlier in the day under the league's flexible scheduling policy.

[Ren Butler]

Confirmed...

Lions-Saints game Dec. 4 moves to Sunday night

The fact that they announced it yesterday afternoon (instead of after MNF) leads me to believe that KC-CHI was never an option, even if KC pulled off a miracle in Foxboro. Also, KC is already playing PIT on SNF the week before. (They can air the same team in consecutive weeks, but they try to avoid that. Especially a lesser draw like the Chiefs.)

CIN/PIT might have been a candidate, but the Bengals aren't quite the story they were earlier in the season; also, even though they're playing the big-draw Steelers that week, as pointed out, NBC already has the Steelers the week before.

ATL/HOU lost its luster once Leinart took over. The selection had to be made before they got a chance to see what he can do with the Texans.

Every other matchup is either protected (GB/NYG and NYJ/WAS) or involves one or two mediocre teams.

DET/NO won by default, I suppose. It's not a bad selection, but neither team is necessarily a top draw. Personally, I'm a lot more interested in seeing variety in the prime-time games, so I can live with this.

[MoparsRule]

10 - 10 tie.

Don't screw it up now Colts.

[Vasserfan]

ATL/HOU lost its luster once Leinart took over. The selection had to be made before they got a chance to see what he can do with the Texans.

No worries, Lienart is out and TJ Yates (yes, that TJ Yates ) is playing QB for my Texans. So, no more whining from the Colts, we are no playing a TJ Yates at QB.

[Doyouloveit?]

For a below average team....Carolina players should do like to flap their gums a lot.

After that last TD, I would say the Colts will lose this one as well. Just another ho hum day in Colts football.

[Ren Butler]

For a below average team....Carolina players should do like to flap their gums a lot.

That's exactly what I was about to chime in. I guess when a 2-8 team finally finds somebody smaller to push around, they have to make a show of how "great" they are, and actually end up diminishing themselves in the process.

[Ren Butler]

No worries, Lienart is out and TJ Yates (yes, that TJ Yates ) is playing QB for my Texans. So, no more whining from the Colts, we are no playing a TJ Yates at QB.

Who's whining about what?

[Doyouloveit?]

Maybe not, nice answer by the Colts sans the 2 point conversion.

[Ren Butler]

Dang, I thought we were going to hit 20...

[Vasserfan]

Who's whining about what?

No more whining about not having Eli's brother. It's my turn to whine. I don't have a Schaub or a Lienart. My team has TJ Yates.



Seriously though, Lienart loooked good until the injury. Just wondering how serious it is.

[Ren Butler]

I was about to post about how crucial it is for the Colts to get something on first down, because they are truly horrible on third down, especially obvious passing third downs. But I gotta hand it to Painter -- he stepped up in the face of the rush and delivered a great ball to Wayne.

But six completions through 3.5 quarters isn't going to get it done, if you're not Tim Tebow.

[Doyouloveit?]

My god, special teams kill the Colts again.

[Ren Butler]

No more whining about not having Eli's brother.

I assumed that's what the alleged whining was about, but I'm not sure who on the team is actually whining. Did you mean Colts fans?

[Ren Butler]

I'd like to put McAfee on defense and have him shadow Newton full-time.

[Vasserfan]

I assumed that's what the alleged whining was about, but I'm not sure who on the team is actually whining. Did you mean Colts fans?

Yes, the fans, here at TF. And it was meant as a joke.

[Ren Butler]

Yes, the fans, here at TF. And it was meant as a joke.

Okay. Just wondering. I know the word "whining" is misused about 99% of the time on the internet.

[Vasserfan]

Okay. Just wondering. I know the word "whining" is misused about 99% of the time on the internet.

Glad I am one of the 1%